>> Hello, everybody. Welcome to Victory Gardens Puppet show. We're glad to have you here with
us. You are going to have a great time. We have some instructions for this show.
And amber's going to tell us more about it. >> This is a really special kind of Puppet show.
What happens is you guys get to decide how
the Puppet show goes. The narrators are going to ask you guys some questions. We want you to respond to the questions as best as you can to the
narrators questions. And then towards the end, you get to decide how the show ends. Isn't that cool?
Yeah. Are you guys excited? Sit back,relax and enjoy the show.
>>Petey Pod: Hello everybody, my name is Petey Pod! I'd like to welcome you to the National
Archives! Are you all ready to listen to a story about gardening?
>>Petey Pod: Okay, then, great. Why don't we get started? Once upon a time...>> Wait,
wait, wait. >>Cara Ott: Am I late? I was busy planting
a tomato seed - look! But now I'm ready to hear about gardens! I
even have my trusty notebook here to take some notes! Oh wow, I didn't even introduce
myself, did I? Hi everyone, I'm Cara Ott! >>Petey Pod: No, Cara, you're just in time.
Why don't you have a seat so we can get started? >>Cara Ott: Wow, this is so exciting! I don't
know anything about gardens...does anybody here know about
them? Great. Audience response. Does anybody here actually
have a garden? Beat. Audience Response. Raise your hand up high if you do! Beat. Audience
Response. That's so cool! I have my little tomato plant here, maybe I'll be able to start
a garden with it some day! >>Petey Pod: Once upon a time, a long time
ago, Lived our heroes, Betty and Joe. Let's all get together, and clap
our hands, So we can show them that we are their fans.
[ [-Audience clapping-] >>Cara Ott: Petey, why are Betty and Joe wearing
such weird clothes? >>Petey Pod: Well Cara, those were the clothes
people used to wear a long time ago. Can I get back to the story now?
>>Cara Ott: Sure, Petey. >>Petey Pod: Betty and Joe were very hungry
one day, And this was a problem, by the way. The reason was very simple, you see, There
was a big war happening overseas! Because of this war, there was not enough
food, We had little to eat, and many to include. >>Cara Ott: What does that mean, Petey?
>>Petey Pod: It means that all of the soldiers needed food to eat, but so did the people
at home! It's really hard to get that much food.
>>Cara Ott: So it was a really big problem? >>Petey Pod: Yes. A veeeery big problem.Then,
someone had a very good thought, One that would change our lives a lot. Let's grow our
own food, in a garden! That way our soldiers' lives will not harden. But no one had ever
gardened before, And they were very scared to start this new chore.
Betty and Joe were very brave, They knew with a garden, there would be a lot to save. We
called them Victory Gardens, and they helped us win the war, We grew so much, that no one
went out to the store! Everyone had a Victory Garden, even the White House.Everyone got
involved, even Mickey Mouse! >>Cara Ott: That's a big word...victory. Can
Can you tell me what it means, Petey?
>>Petey Pod: Why don't I ask our friends -- do any of you know what the word "victory" means?
[Audience response] >>Petey Pod: Right. Victory
>> You are so smart. it means winning, so the people during the war grew their gardens so that they could
help the soldiers win the war! >>Cara Ott: So the people could eat a lot
of the food they grew in their Victory Gardens? >>Petey Pod: Yes! There was lots of food from
the Victory Gardens! And everybody helped out -- even
little kids! Do you have an idea of where they would grow their gardens?
>>Cara Ott: Hmm -.I don't know! Maybe my friends know. Hey guys, where do you think people
back then grew the Victory Gardens? >> Their backyard. Anybody else have an idea?
Where? Their front yard. Very good. >> What about you? You had an idea?
>> [Inaudible]. >> Those are all great ideas.
>> Yes, these kids are very smart. and the people growing gardens were very smart, too.
Gardening is hard, but they learned very fast.
They needed to make sure their fruits and vegetables would last.
There are lots of things gardeners have to look out for, Weather, bugs, animals, and so much more.
Animals especially can be annoying, They enjoy our food, but it's our
gardens they're destroying. Now is the part where our story
gets good, Because you get to decide what comes out of the wood.
Raise your hand, when I ask, If you think you are up to the task.
A rabbit might visit, or maybe a deer. Although, it might be the birds that I hear.
>>Cara Ott: So we get to choose which pest we want to see in the garden?
>>Petey Pod: Right! You can choose either rabbits, deer, or birds.
>>Cara Ott: Oh, wow! We get to decide what
we want to see! That's a really tough choice. I like rabbits because they hop around, and then I really like
deer because they have rrrrreeeeeally big antlers, and I really love birds because they fly around and sing
such pretty songs. So what will we chose guys? So I'll ask what you all think,
and clap and yell really loud when you hear the animal you would like to see! Okay?
Who would like to see the rabbits?
I can't hear you guys. I can't hear you guys.
[ Audience claps] What about the deer? [Audience claps] >> What about the birds?
>> What about the birds? [ Audience claps]
>>Alright Petey, we have chosen -- and we picked birds! >>Petey Pod: Good choice, everybody! Let's
see how Betty and Joe deal with birds - Here comes the bird, look how she soars! She flies and flies and she never bores.
>> The big red tomato catches her eye.
It's so big she can see it from the sky. She flies on back to tell her friends about this new garden that she
she recommends. Meanwhile, Joe has just finished working and he's about to go in for a snack.
Once the door closes, the birds will attack. The birds swoop in one by one and don't stop
until they are done. We have to tell Betty. We must be quick or
she'll have nothing to pick. >> You heard Petey everybody! We have to tell Betty before everything is gone. Betty's inside
Let's tell her. Let's tell her. Betty! Betty! >>Oh, Good job you guys! Betty heard us. So Betty comes out hearing our shout only to find she's missing
some sprouts. Betty knows what she must do. She may stop the birds from coming through. She calls Joe over to tell him her thoughts which she thinks
will have stop the bird's plot. >> How are they supposed to stop birds Petey?
I mean they can fly after all.>> You're right Cara but Betty is really smart. She has a great idea that will save
her garden from the birds. Betty and Joe decide to build a scare crow so the vegetables will have a chance
to grow. They build and build all day long and when they are done, the scare crow is
very strong. >>Wow! A scare crow is a great idea. Don't you guys think?
All right. But wait! What if the birds come back? Then what happens to the garden?
>> Let's finish our story. The next day, the birds come flying back. Hoping to find a new snack. But wait, this
isn't as easy as it was before. Suddenly, there's something else to look for.
There's a man in the yard who they do not know. So they can tell from the air it's not
Joe. The birds get scared and they fly away to find another garden for the day. We did
it, we saved the garden. So now Betty and Joe's lives will not harden. >> Yay. Let's all cheer for Betty and Joe. We helped save their garden!
>> Very Good! See gardening is hard as you guys can see. You learn how to do it. Yea! Yippee!!
Gardening sure takes a lot of work but all of the food is an extra perk!
And now our story draws to an end, Until next time, I'll see you, my friend.
>>Cara Ott: Wow, that was great! I sure learned a lot. Hey Petety?
>>Petey Pod: Yes, Cara? >>Cara Ott: I planted this tomato before the
show, and now I am really excited for it to grow! Did you guys know you can also plant a garden at home?
Just ask mommy or dad to buy dirt and plants and you can start your very own Victory garden.
>> Thank you for coming to the show. Thank you.
[Applause]